How to Permanently Straighten Your Hair Professionally & At Home

• Get sleek, straight hair with a Japanese straightening if you have medium curls, or a relaxer if you have tight, coarse curls.
• Or, apply a deep conditioner at home and pin up your hair so the ends are exposed. Turn on your shower to hot and sit next to the steam for 20-30 minutes.
• Alternatively, apply an at-home keratin treatment to your hair. Depending on your product, coat it through damp hair then blow your hair dry.

Choosing a Professional Straightening Treatment

Choose Japanese straightening if you have loose to medium curls. Japanese straightening, also called thermal reconditioning, involves your stylist applying a solution to your hair that breaks the bonds that make your hair curly. Your stylist will then blowdry and flatiron your hair until it is pin-straight. The process can take up to 8 hours, and it will leave your hair sleek, shiny, and straight. If you choose Japanese straightening, your hair will be unable to hold a curl, even if you use a curling iron. The difference between your straightened hair and your new hair growth will be obvious, so plan to go in for a touch-up after 6-12 weeks. A Japanese straightening treatment can cost more than $500, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Japanese straightening is considered one of the healthiest ways to alter your hair texture.

Opt for a relaxer if you have coarse, tight curls. Like Japanese straightening, relaxers permanently break the bonds in your hair. The chemicals used in this process are harsh, since they’re designed to be used on thick, coarse hair, but if it’s done right, you will be left with straight hair that’s easy to manage, even if you live in a humid climate. Your hair will still be able to hold curl after a relaxing treatment, so you can use a curling iron to style it if you want. Expect to go in for a touch-up in 6-12 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. Relaxing treatments can cost $45-$100.

Go with a keratin treatment for smooth hair that you can still curl. Keratin treatments, like the Brazilian Blowout, smooth the surface of your hair, but they don’t permanently break the bonds. Over time, your hair’s natural texture will return. This usually takes about 2 months. Since the structure of your hair isn’t changed, you can still curl it if you choose to. Keratin treatments usually last for about 3-5 months. Some keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. A keratin treatment can cost $200-$300.

Find a qualified professional to perform the treatment. The chemicals used in permanent straightening are extremely caustic. In the hands of an inexperienced stylist, your hair may become severely damaged and it may even break off. Ask your friends for recommendations or read online reviews to find an experienced stylist with a good track record performing these treatments. Your stylist should examine your hair and make a recommendation about the type of straightener they think would work best for your hair.

Ask your stylist about the chemicals in the treatment. Some permanent hair straighteners can contain formaldehyde or chemicals which release formaldehyde when they’re put on your hair. This is a dangerous chemical which can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs, and it may cause cancer after prolonged exposure. Talk to your stylist about formaldehyde-free options.

Ask if there are any pre-treatment instructions you should know. Before your appointment, call your stylist and ask if there is anything you should or shouldn’t do to your hair before you sit in the chair. Depending on the treatment, your stylist might tell you not to wash your hair for a few days before you come in, or they might tell you to wash with a clarifying treatment the night before your appointment. You may also be advised not to scratch or comb your scalp too hard.

Going Through the Straightening Process

Be honest with your stylist about your hair history. If you’ve been coloring your hair for years or you tried an at-home relaxer a few months ago, your stylist needs to know that. Hair which has been chemically processed may be too damaged to undergo chemical straightening. It could lead to your hair being dry and brittle, or it could even break off during the process.

Request a strand test. During a strand test, your stylist will apply a small amount of the straightening solution to a strand of your hair in an inconspicuous spot, perhaps near the nape of your neck. This will allow the stylist to see how your hair reacts to the chemicals and will let them know if it is safe to proceed with the treatment.

Bring a book or download a game so you don’t get bored. Most permanent hair straightening treatments will take at least 2-3 hours, and Japanese straightening may take as long as 8 hours for the first treatment. Bring a book with you or download a game on your phone so you’ll have something to entertain you while you sit in the chair.

Follow aftercare instructions. It's important to follow your stylist’s aftercare advice carefully to protect your hair. If you choose Japanese straightening, you will be advised not to wash your hair for 2-3 days after treatment. Depending on the treatment, you may also be told to avoid using heat styling, which can increase the risk of breakage on your fragile hair. For keratin treatments, you may need to refrain from wearing your hair in a ponytail for 2-3 days to avoid setting a permanent crease into your newly-straight hair.

Keeping Your Hair Straight at Home

Use a deep conditioner and steam to straighten your hair. First, apply a deep conditioning mask to your hair, focusing especially on the ends. Turn your shower on as hot as you can get it, then pin your hair up so the ends of your hair are exposed. Sit as close to the steam as you can without touching the hot water and relax for 20-30 minutes. When you’re done with the steam treatment, adjust the shower to a comfortable level, then rinse the conditioner out of your hair. This is a great method to help restore moisture to your hair after a professional straightening treatment. The reason this is so good for your hair is because the steam opens the cuticles on your hair, allowing the conditioner to penetrate the strands.

Try a store-bought smoothing serum or cream to blow dry your hair straight. You can find straightening products at any drugstore or beauty retailer, most of which come in the form of a serum or a cream. If you want to get the look of a sleek salon blowout at home, look for a heat-activated formula that will protect your hair from damage caused by the blow dryer. Apply the straightening product while your hair is still wet, then blow dry your hair in sections with a round brush. Serums and creams will not straighten your hair permanently, but they can help keep your hair looking sleek in between keratin treatments or when your roots start to grow out from Japanese straightening or a relaxer.

Apply a natural oil to your hair. Natural oils can deeply penetrate your hair, which helps your hair maintain moisture. This helps protect your hair from damage, which can cause frizz. Try these to nourish your hair after a chemical straightening treatment. Natural oils also help your hair fight humidity, so your hair will look more smooth no matter what the weather is like. Look for natural oils that are rich in vitamins and minerals to nourish your hair, like coconut oil, argan oil, macadamia oil, and almond oil.

Try an at-home keratin treatment. There are a number of keratin treatments that you can apply yourself at home to get smooth, straight hair. Most keratin products are applied to damp hair before blow drying, although some should be applied to dry hair. These claim to last anywhere from 1 wash up to 30 days, depending on the brand you choose. Ask your stylist before you try an at-home keratin treatment on hair which has already undergone a chemical straightening process at a salon.